Dolphins LB Kiko Alonso defends hit on Ravens QB Joe Flacco

BALTIMORE—There’s little chance Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso will be able to talk his way out of a punishment from the NFL after what he did to Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

Late in the second quarter of Miami’s 40-0 loss in Baltimore, Flacco scrambled on a nine-yard run and as he slid, Alonso drilled him in the head hard enough to knock his helmet off. Flacco exited the game and is now in the league’s concussion protocol.

Alonso defended the hit, saying Flacco slid as late as possible and left him no choice but to go for the tackle.

“I was wondering, is he gonna slide?” Alonso said. “And then it got to a point where I’m like, ‘I’ve gotta hit him,’ because he slid too slate. It was bang-bang.”

Joe Flacco in cocussion protocol after this hit by Kiko Alonso. #TNF#MIAvsBAL

The play drew a personal foul penalty for Alonso and spilled into a skirmish near the Ravens sideline.

It started with Baltimore center Ryan Jensen, who shoved Alonso to the ground and pounced on him. It got bad enough that a referee was taken down.

The incident continued with Baltimore coach John Harbaugh and Alonso screaming at each other. Alonso said he told Harbaugh, “Man, it was bang-bang. I don’t know what else I could’ve done.” Harbaugh did not comment on it beyond saying it was penalized correctly.

Alonso hadn’t seen the video immediately after the game, but was aware of the damage it did to Flacco. He regretted the impact of the hit.

“Yeah, well, I hope he’s alright,” he said. “You hate to see that happen to people. I truly hope he’s OK.”

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[…] play, and the two could clearly be seen screaming at each other. Alonso said he told Harbaugh, “Man, it was bang-bang. I don’t know what else I could’ve done.” Harbaugh did not comment on it after the game […]